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NAVIGATING YOU TO UNDERGROUND ABOVE GROUND AND ALL AROUND AWESOME HAPPENINGS IN THE GREATER BOSTON AREA takashi muraka lineage of eccentrics a collaboration with noboa tsuji and the mfa
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joe bob briggs a history of the redneck in film
certain, somewhat depraved film circles, Joe Bob Briggs is a name that ranks alongside such film-crit royalty as Roger Ebert and Pauline Kael-- and yet, strictly speaking, he isn’t a real pernown as one of the most imaginative and important artists son at all. Rather, he is the alter-ego working today, Takashi Murakami and Japanese art historian, of film critic John Bloom, created in Professor Nobuo Tsuji present their collaborative exhibition the ‘80s to give voice to his less “respectable” tastes. Fashioned as Takashi Murakami: Lineage of Eccentrics, the unique and excitthe consummate Texas good ol’ boy, the “drive-in movie critic” ing exhibition currently at the MFA, Boston. Made up of a diverse revelled in low-budget no-brow fare (mostly in genres ending in collection of objects including paintings and sculpture creat“sploitation”), complete with tallies of their most outrageous and ed by the artist in direct response to Japanese masterpieces unsavory elements. But here’s the thing: Briggs’ knowledge and from the MFA’s collection, the juxtaposition of these two types enthusiasm for his subjects were both real and infectious, and his of artworks reveals the dynamic conversation that is held beft. Pere Ubu (OH), Dan Deacon (MD), Xiu Xiu (CA), PILL (NY), Sunburned reputation soon eclipsed Bloom’s. Briggs would go on to write tween Murakami’s artworks and these Japanese masterpieces. Hand of the Man, Trinary System, Obnox At first, the saccharine sweetness of Murakami’s art- (OH), Erica Eso (NYC), Buck Gooter (VA), several books, appear on countless DVD commentaries, and W h e r e Where channels over the years. C o o l i d g e works appears drastically opposed to the Japanese masterpiec- Creative Healing, lucy, nick shea, Pink host horror movies on multiple cable THURS 7/13Museum of It is cause for excitement, then, that Joe Bob will be bring- C o r n e r Navel, Sidney Gish, Ed Balloon & more es’ muted, traditional tones and ink on paper brushwork. A secFine Arts SUN 7/30 @the Coolidge for T h e a t r e ing his wit and formidable knowledge of schlock to Ahh, November. Time for turW h e n ond look at the artworks, however, shows a clear connection and MFA a live illustrated lecture. Titled A HISTORY OF THE REDNECK IN FILM, W h e n key, family, cozy fireplaces, and overlap of content, subject matter, and the emotional effect that 10/18-4/1 Joe Bob’s presentation will feature a dazzling array of clips, illustratthe maniacal carnival known as both types of artworks achieve. Dragons, warriors, battles, and Sat 11/4 C o s t brightly colored creatures and flowers with smiley faces doming everything from the terrifying nature of the redneck horror vil- C o s t Hassle Fest – now in its 9th year Museum lain to “the precise date the first redneck arrived in America.” For legal of stepping outside the box (as inate the exhibition, and surround you as the spectator with $5 Admission reasons, the list of films featured is being kept under wraps, and this we do) and bringing you ana palpable feeling of epic energy and the vitality of life. Often other cranium expanding conpresentation will never be available online in any capacity-- which makes it all the referred to as the “Andy Warhol of Japan,” the Pop Art aesthetic of many of coction of musical mayhem, more imperative to get yourself to the Coolidge. It may not be a drive-in, but it’ll do. Murakami’s pieces are soaked in the types of image representations that we a Pollack-esque -OSCAR GOFF are surrounded by in today’s public spaces, such as graffiti and wall murals. splattering of W h e r e While the show celebrates this fact, spaces of meditative ‘neuOnce sounds and sights trality’ are present in the show, in both Murakami’s artworks and the JapBallroom which spans anese masterpieces. Ensō, a large black circle made by what looks like genres and time. W h e n a brushstroke on a simple white background is an arresting example of Night one brings 11/10 6pm Perhaps taking a piece that provides a simultaneous and complementary sense of nuDan Deacon 11/11 2:50p Halloween as an ance and ethereal transcendence to the overall experience of the show. back to Boston C o s t excuse to pre- MARYAM YOON to give us all a $25 per day game for Hassle little deja vu of Fest was a bad White girls in culturhis Hassle shows long past. idea since I think a l l y- a p p ro p r i at i ve His interactive, audience-inI died and am headgear, unconclusive bursts of electro-pop now immortalscionable ticket fees, confusion take us all through ized in this colfrat bros hyped up If you have ever had a deep, burning dea candy shop wood chipper umn in the Boson acid punching sire to dive waist deep into a pile of used and spew us out as amorphous ton Compass. each other in the clothing, inside the belly of a giant pink rainbow swirls. He’ll be joined Volunteering pit. The phrase “music festival, ” brings building and you haven’t been to Garment by CA erratic rockers Xiu Xiu, for the Hassle plenty of cringe-worthy images to District, then what the heck are you doing? the always intriguing episodes was one of the best experiences I had mind—all far, far removed from anyGarment District is a staple if you want cheap, amazing, unique clothes or of Ed Balloon, the sweet and in my mortal existence. There are tons thing resembling musical enjoyment. costumes. You can enter a sleek, business casual person and leave an acid salty serenades of Sidney Gish, In recent years, the modern music festi- of cool people doing cool things there washed superstar in a matter of minutes. Garment District boasts a large upand so many more. Night two val has morphed into a fully commod- that allow the org to be such a driving stairs thrift/vintage area, a costume shop, and a pay-by-the-pound clothing summons legendary progeniified experience. The stages are named force in the local music scene. Recentpile. Not to mention the staff is hip, helpful, and friendly. They literally offer tors of art rock, slop pop, junk for drink brands. “Festival wear” has be- ly I submitted a grant (never done that styles for anyone. I was once dragged to a Lady Gaga concert by my friends punk, you name it - the genrecome an entire industry and Urban Out- before!) on behalf of the newspaper (which actually turned out to be dope) and in no time I found a bedazzled less Pere Ubu (rumor has it he fitters stocks a “Coachella mini dress.”in an attempt to get some more fundbra accompanied by alien leggings. So, no matter if you are a mom, cosplaywill be hanging at the merch While this corporate BS is enough ing (fingers crossed!) for the next year. er, desperate wannabe, or indie sweetie Garment District will hook you up! table 2-3pm). They’ll be layin to make most in the scene swear off I don’t think I would’ve done that in any Aside from picking up the latest, worn out 90’s band it down alongside fellow Ohio festivals altogether, still the concept other setting and it’s been great to be tee you can also pick up The Compass at the Garment Disrock deconstructionist Obnox, of the festival is undeniably attrac- pushed and encouraged to be quick on trict! They love us and we love them. It’s a match made in heaven. local sound collective Creative tive; I can think of few ways I’d rath- your feet and adaptive to new scenarios. In fact, they love us so much that this year, on December 14th GarHealing, Allston fuzz punks Hassle has become my shovel to dig er spend a Saturday afternoon than ment District will be hosting our end of the year “Confront Your IsNice Guys, the sometimes savaround the Boston underground scene seeing good live music and drinking sues” Compass Art Party. It’s going to be a huge celebration of all of age, often onerous PILL, and beer surrounded by fellow feelers. and I’m glad I found it. There’s some great the artists who did header art on this lovely little publication in 2017. an all around smorgasbord of We at the Boston Hassle have been things happening in November (open up Seriously, if you’ve never been, you are missing out on the clothadditional talent. Both sounddoing this crazy thing called Hassle the next page) but I have to give a shout ing opportunity of a lifetime. Get your butt over to Cambridge scapes go down at Once BallFest for 9 years running. It’s as wild out to Hassle Fest for being MVP this and be ready to garment dumpster dive. You’ll be happy you did. room in Somerville. Early birds in scope as it is in logistics. For $25 sponsored in part month. Two nights -JAMIE DAVENPORT to the event (first 20 attendees) by the great of amazing music (which is less than 1/3 the cost of a have their choice of a free beer for everyone to enone-day pass to Boston Calling) on THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED IN PART BY OR record from some equaljoy and get their November 10 & 11 this month, you A GRANT FROM THE BOSTON CULTURAL ly legendary labels Come see faces melted. Hopecan see over 20 bands play at Once and hear what you know and COUNCIL, A LOCAL AGENCY WHICH IS FUNDED fully I’m just hunSomerville. No festibros. No #festivallove and maybe you’ll discover gover and not dead. BY THE MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL, fashion. Just good music. We promise. something new along the way. -JAN ESBRA AS ADMINSTRATED BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF -MELISSA ROBERTS -MICHAEL ACHILLE
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